What happened in May 2010?

Swimming 16 miles and running 42 miles seemed to be an off month for me, but May 2010 was a great workout month for me.

I set a personal best at the Broad Street Run at 1:10:27 which placed me in the top 3 percent of all finishers. I finished 3rd in my age group at the University City 5k run on Drexel campus. I looked pretty in pink running the ODDyssey Half Marathon, and finished well at the Got the Nerve Triathlon in Mt Gretna, PA. The bike portion of the triathlon was tough for me, but that was the best part.

In the pool, my freestyle has gradually improved. Within the past few months, my 100 yard free pace has dropped by about 10 seconds. Now I can comfortably clock in at 1:40. My fast 100 yard freestyle is between 1:25 and 1:30

I went to the gym exactly 3 times in May for chest and triceps. I'd lose all my muscles and strength very soon.

April 2010 Workout Summary

Run: 70 miles (vs. 125 miles in March). Highlights:
10-April Garden Spot Village Marathon: 3:43:04; 8:30 pace; 55th overall; 6/48 M35-39
11-April Fruit Loop win #2 (Joe walked to finish behind Frank). My loop time was a personal best, around 62 minutes.
17-April Clean Air Councils 5K Run: 19:52.1 (personal best); 6:25 pace; 30/1300 total finishers; 27/578 M; 5/65 M35-39
18-April Penn Relays 20k Distance Classic: 1:33:06 7:30 pace; 57/187 total finishers; 7/25 M30-39
24-April Fruit Loop win #3 (Joe tried to pass me at Mile #6, but I wasn't going down without a fight; almost had to send out a search team for Kevin)

Swim: 25 miles (vs. 8.5 miles in March). I was back to my January swim pace and mileage.

Bike: twice ... 10 minutes each! My triathlon race is 2 weeks away!

Weightlifting: back to my once a week maintenance plan.

February 2010 Workout Sumary

Run = 120 miles (vs. 75 miles last month). I practically married my treadmills during this snowy month.

Best treadmill runs
30 minutes / 4.3 miles
60 minutes / 8.3 miles
70 minutes / 9.8 miles
90 minutes / 12.48 miles
100 minutes / 13.48 miles

Swim = approximately 14 miles (vs. 25 miles last month). Twice a week; typically 3000 yards per practice.

Weighlifting = increased to 4 times a week but each workout was shorter.

It was another great month. I feel like I'm in the best running shape of my life.

January 2010 Workout Summary

Fins Postal Swim 2010
Originally uploaded by reflexblue

Run = 75 miles. Mostly on treadmill. Average pace under 8 minutes per mile; longest run was only 11 miles.

Swim = approximately 25 miles. About 3300 yards per practice in lane 4 or 5. Highlight was the postal swim (3150 yards in 60 minutes).

Weighlifting = back to 3 times a week. Starting to regain some strength!

Overall, I had a great workout month to go along with a balanced diet. Can't wait to see if I can keep up in February!

Marathon Training, Week 4

Sofa 2
Originally uploaded by reflexblue.

It's nice to sit on my ass to reflect on my training this past week, knowing that I have tomorrow off. I have another fantastic training week. I went over 30 miles as planned and completed all my cross training sets, except for biceps.

Monday: chest / triceps with Chris; 5 miles (38:50)
Tuesday: Fins swim practice
Wednesday: 5 miles (39 minutes) morning; shoulders/back/legs (light)/abs evening
Thursday: 6 miles (48:26 minutes); Fins swim practice
Friday: none
Saturday: 15 miles in the cold, mostly with Dan. My pace was inconsistent. I was aiming for 8:30 but it swung between 8 and 10. My legs were still strong as I focused on my strides during the last two miles.
Sunday: none

Spring Marathon Training, Week 3

Shiver by the River
Originally uploaded by reflexblue.

It was the most perfect training schedule week I had in at least six months. All my training activities were in sync. My diet was on track. I felt fantastic!


Monday: 3 miles morning; chest / tri with Chris evening
Tuesday: swim practice
Wednesday: 5 miles morning (40:38 minutes); shoulders / back evening
Thursday: 5 miles morning (39:58 minutes); swim practice with guest coach Ryan Smith
Friday: legs / biceps
Saturday: 13 miles in the cold (around 1 hours 50 minutes); indoors rock gym
Sunday: none